Teachers & Staff
Our professional staff encourages exploration and growth in a well-equipped environment that is stimulating, safe, consistent and nurturing. We strive to enhance each child’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
A Message From our Teachers:
Ms. Dara - Lead Teacher/Administrator
Hi, my name is Dara Lavallee. I started teaching in the fall of 2009 at The JCC. I previously had been a stay at home mom of my two boys who are now 12 and 14. My background is in Special Education. I received a bachelors degree in Special Ed from Lock Haven University in 1997. Prior to staying at home with my children, I was an Early Intervention teacher. I feel working at The JCC is very rewarding and really couldn't imagine a better fit for me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your children's lives and all of yours as well.
A Message From our Teachers:
Ms. Dara - Lead Teacher/Administrator
Hi, my name is Dara Lavallee. I started teaching in the fall of 2009 at The JCC. I previously had been a stay at home mom of my two boys who are now 12 and 14. My background is in Special Education. I received a bachelors degree in Special Ed from Lock Haven University in 1997. Prior to staying at home with my children, I was an Early Intervention teacher. I feel working at The JCC is very rewarding and really couldn't imagine a better fit for me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your children's lives and all of yours as well.
Ms. Leanne - Co-Lead Teacher
Hi, my name is Leanne Zuech. I grew up north of Boston in a town called Wenham. My family moved to Erie, PA, when I was 16. I attended Penn State University and received a BS in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from the Schreyer Honor College. I did my student teaching is West Sussex, England. My first job out of college was as a second grade teacher in Petersburg, Virginia. After teaching in Virginia for two years I married my husband, Ed, and moved to Saudi Arabia for his job. I was very lucky in Saudi Arabia to get a fourth grade teaching position at the American school on the compound we lived on. Our time in Saudi Arabia gave us the opportunity to travel to every continent, except Antarctica.
I enjoy bringing some of what I learned from traveling to my teaching. We left Saudi Arabia after two and a half years and moved to State College. Ed and I have 4 children. Jason is 18, Aubrey is 16, Cara is 12 and Dylan is 9. We are very busy in the after school hours going to different activities and sports events, but we love it! Jason enlisted in the United States Army and will leave this summer. It's a big chapter ending and a new one beginning for my family. My teaching philosophy is play based and centered around the relationship a teacher builds with the student. I feel very fortunate to be able to teach preschool as I feel it is one of the most important times in a child's education.
Hi, my name is Leanne Zuech. I grew up north of Boston in a town called Wenham. My family moved to Erie, PA, when I was 16. I attended Penn State University and received a BS in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from the Schreyer Honor College. I did my student teaching is West Sussex, England. My first job out of college was as a second grade teacher in Petersburg, Virginia. After teaching in Virginia for two years I married my husband, Ed, and moved to Saudi Arabia for his job. I was very lucky in Saudi Arabia to get a fourth grade teaching position at the American school on the compound we lived on. Our time in Saudi Arabia gave us the opportunity to travel to every continent, except Antarctica.
I enjoy bringing some of what I learned from traveling to my teaching. We left Saudi Arabia after two and a half years and moved to State College. Ed and I have 4 children. Jason is 18, Aubrey is 16, Cara is 12 and Dylan is 9. We are very busy in the after school hours going to different activities and sports events, but we love it! Jason enlisted in the United States Army and will leave this summer. It's a big chapter ending and a new one beginning for my family. My teaching philosophy is play based and centered around the relationship a teacher builds with the student. I feel very fortunate to be able to teach preschool as I feel it is one of the most important times in a child's education.
Staff and Interns
Our school frequently hosts interns and staff from Penn State University and other local colleges. We are a host site for the America Reads program, whose students bring a focus of literacy education to the classroom as part of fulfilling their educational training. (During COVID we have made changes to student interns, and parent volunteers- please ask about our current COVID policy/guidelines)
For more information about available internship positions, please contact our coordinator at coordinator@jccnursery.org.
Classroom Volunteers
Parents and guardians of current students volunteer in the classroom to provide an extra set of hands when needed. All classroom volunteers work under the direction and supervision of a trained teacher. Volunteers are required to follow our Volunteer Policy, as well as submit background clearances in line with SCASD requirements.
Our school frequently hosts interns and staff from Penn State University and other local colleges. We are a host site for the America Reads program, whose students bring a focus of literacy education to the classroom as part of fulfilling their educational training. (During COVID we have made changes to student interns, and parent volunteers- please ask about our current COVID policy/guidelines)
For more information about available internship positions, please contact our coordinator at coordinator@jccnursery.org.
Classroom Volunteers
Parents and guardians of current students volunteer in the classroom to provide an extra set of hands when needed. All classroom volunteers work under the direction and supervision of a trained teacher. Volunteers are required to follow our Volunteer Policy, as well as submit background clearances in line with SCASD requirements.